This book was written as an “insider's view” of China offering readers something different from that of an academic or business perspective, but beyond the usual travel guide information. This is a book about actually “understanding” China and its people, not just the tourist information. The author not only lived in China for many years, but is married into a Chinese family so he can provide a perspective that is missing in most books. Besides first hand information about the customs and culture, he explains exactly who the Chinese people are. They can be divided into three distinct groups, as different from one another as a Swede is from an Peruvian. These distinctions don't just apply to just the majority Han, but cross all ethnic backgrounds. The book also tells you about the Communist Party of China, the government of China, and how each relates to the average citizen and how the average citizen relates to them. The author is very clear when he says that almost everything you have read about China in the western media is wrong. This is modern China and having read this book, you will begin to understand the country and its people.